●     Radha Ashtami: Saturday, 19 September 2026

●     Ashtami Tithi starts at: 01:00 PM on 18 September 2026

●     Ashtami Tithi ends at: 03:26 PM on 19 September 2026

●     Madhyahna puja muhurat is from 11:10 AM to 01:36 PM

●     Duration: 2 Hours 27 Minutes

Point to consider: Shri Radha Rani is believed to have appeared during “Madhyahna” (noon), hence the main puja is performed around midday.

Radha Ashtami is important because it celebrates the appearance of Shri Radha Rani on Earth. Devotional texts like “Garga Samhita” and “Brahma Vaivarta Purana” describe Shri Radha Rani as “ayonija,” meaning: “she did not take birth from a mother's womb.”

In Vaishnavism, Shri Radha Rani is regarded/viewed as Bhagwan Krishna's spiritual energy. Scriptures note that Bhagwan Krishna's play (leela) and grace are fully accessed by seeking the mercy and intercession of Shri Radha Rani. This is why the two are lovingly worshipped together by devotees as “Radha-Krishna.”

For devotees, Shri Radha Rani is not simply Bhagwan Krishna's beloved. She represents “pure bhakti,” where love for Bhagwan is offered “without expecting anything in return.”

As per popular “Braj tradition,” Shri Radha Rani appeared in “Barsana,” while some traditions also associate her birth with “Raval” (a village near “Gokul”). It is believed that “King Vrishabhanu” found the divine child Radha near a lotus and brought her home. As a baby, Shri Radha Rani did not open her eyes.

But this changed when “Yashoda,” (the foster mother of Bhagwan Krishna) came to Barsana with infant Bhagwan Krishna. When Bhagwan Krishna was brought before Shri Radha Rani, she opened her eyes for the first time. Devotees see this as a beautiful sign of her eternal bond with Bhagwan Krishna.

Radha Ashtami is celebrated with great devotion in Barsana, Vrindavan, Mathura and other Braj regions. Since Barsana is closely associated with Shri Radha Rani, the celebrations at the temples here are especially grand. Devotees from various Indian states gather for darshan, special puja, bhajans and kirtans.

Apart from this, another special tradition that is followed on Radha Ashtami is “Charan Darshan.” At the famous “Shriji Temple” in Barsana, the “lotus feet” of Shri Radha Rani are shown to the public (devotees) on this day. Devotees wait for hours in line just to get a glimpse as they consider it highly auspicious. Other temples, including ISKCON Delhi temple (Sri Sri Radha Parthasarathi Mandir) also host - “midnight-to-midday kirtans,” “floral showers,” etc.

On Radha Ashtami, devotees chant “Om Hreem Shriradhikayai Namah” and “Tapta-kancana-gaurangi, radhe vrindavanesvari | Vrishabhanu-sute devi, pranamami hari-priye” mantras with joy and devotion. Some also feed cows and offer food to the needy.

Devotees usually offer:

●     Lotus, rose, jasmine and marigold flowers

●     Makhan-mishri

●     Kheer

●     Panjiri

●     Fresh fruits

●     Milk and other dairy offerings

●     Chandan and kumkum

●     Fresh clothes and shringar items

Note: You can prepare in advance by buying puja essentials from trusted sources like Sanatan Sansaar.

●     Take a bath and wear clean clothes. Clean the home mandir and prepare the puja space.

●     Place Radha Krishna's statue or picture on a clean chowki.

●     Take a sankalp to observe Radha Ashtami with devotion.

●     Offer a gentle abhishek to Radha Krishna with Panchamrit, if your idol is suitable for it. Wash the idol with clean water afterwards.

●     Dress and decorate the deities with clean clothes, flowers and other shringar items.

●     Offer flowers, kumkum, chandan and akshat with devotion.

●     Light a diya and incense before Radha Krishna.

●     Offer bhog, such as makhan-mishri, kheer, fruits, panjiri or other sweets.

●     Recite Radha Ashtami Katha and chant Radha Krishna's names like “Radha-Madhava,” “Radha-Damodara,” and “Shyama-Shyam.”

●     Perform aarti and offer the prasad to family members.

Point to consider: The main aarti should be done between: 11:10 AM and 01:36 PM (Madhyahna puja muhurat).

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